Ailynn Collins - Can You Survive the Schoolchildrens Blizzard?: An Interactive History Adventure

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YOU are living in the midwestern United States in the late 1800s. Life is difficult on the plains. The land is tough to farm, and the weather is unpredictable. Summers can be hot and dry, and winters can be brutally cold.

One day in January 1888, you experience one of the worst winter storms anyone has ever seen. Surrounded by snow, howling winds, and plunging temperatures, will YOU survive the storms fury?

Chapter One sets the scene. Then you choose which path to read. Follow the links at the bottom of each page as you read the stories. The decisions you make will change your outcome. After you finish one path, go back and read the others for new perspectives and more adventures. Use your devices back buttons or page navigation to jump back to your last choice.

On May 20, 1862, U.S. President Abraham Lincoln signed a law called the Homestead Act. If you were at least 21 years old, you could claim 160 acres (65 hectares) of land. Most of the land was west of the Mississippi River. It didnt matter what your background or race was. All you had to do was build a home on the land and farm it for five years. After that, the land was all yours.

This act drew many people to states and territories in the American Midwest such as Minnesota, the Dakota Territory, Nebraska, and Iowa. People came from cities like New York or Boston, hoping that farming would bring them a better life.

Some people came all the way from countries like Germany, Norway, and Ukraine. Wars and bad rulers made it impossible to live there, and many families were starving. On the other hand, the Midwest had plenty of open, free land for farmers who were willing to work.

But for those who made the journey, life here is hard. The weather is severe, and the pests are dangerous. Farming is unpredictable, and the science of weather forecasting is still new.

The winter of 1887 has been especially cold. From before Christmas to the New Year, families have stayed indoors to stay warm. Schools have remained closed. And when farmers leave the house to feed their animals, they cross quickly to their barns. They do their chores as quickly as possible to return to their warm homes.

Then on January 12, 1888, people wake up to a warm, sunny day. Well, at least it seems warm compared to the recent subzero temperatures. It feels like spring has arrived early.

Unfortunately, this day is about to turn into one of the worst natural disasters in history. A powerful blizzard unlike any people have ever seen is about to hit. Many will be caught in the historic storm, and many will not survive.

Your family arrives in Yankton, Dakota Territory, in the late fall. Youre disappointed. It isnt much of a town. Its nothing like your home city of Boston, Massachusetts.

I miss my old school, your big brother William complains. He didnt want to leave the big city to come out west.

Think of how much good we can do here, Father says. Hes set up his law offices in the middle of town.

I cant wait to play my tricks on the teacher, you say with a grin.

Walter, be on your best behavior, Mother warns. Your last teacher almost quit because of your mischief.

Still, you cant wait. Unfortunately, winter came early. Its been so harsh that school is canceled until it warms up.

Mr. Cooper, your teacher, rents a room in your familys large house. He insists that you practice writing your letters every day. Its so boring!

No one else is doing schoolwork, you complain one bright morning. Especially when the sun is shining like this.

Mr. Cooper looks outside. Youre right, he says. It feels nice enough to start school.

Its been weeks since its been this warm. The air feels almost as if spring is on its way.

Im going to open up the school today, Mr. Cooper says. You go pack your bag and meet me at school.

Although youre eager to go back to school, youve been cooped up in the house for weeks. The whole time youve been doing homework under Mr. Coopers watchful eye. You deserve a break.

You decide to sneak into the alley between your house and the neighbors. You spend the morning building snowmen and a fort instead. You even plan to start a snowball fight with William when he gets back. This time, youll win. Youre sure of it.

But as youre making plans, the alley suddenly goes dark. You look up to see that the sky has gone black. You hear a loud roar just as a strong gust of wind knocks you onto your back.

You smack into the wall of your snow fort. The breath is knocked out of you, and you lie on the ground a little too long. The wind howls, and sharp, painful bits of snow pelt your face. You can barely see in front of you.

You force yourself up to your feet and desperately feel for the wall that is your house. You take several steps but you cant find your way. You rub your eyes, but the snow on your gloves freezes your eyes shut. Rubbing them just makes it hurt more.

You decide to turn and see if you can find shelter.

You turn and stumble about with your arms in front of you. Its getting hard to breathe. You want to cry but your tears freeze as they leave your eyes. It hurts.

THUMP! Your hands hit something solid. Its not snow. Its wood!

It must be my house, you say to yourself.

You follow the wall all the way to the front side of the house and the door. You turn the knob and push your way inside. After you slip inside, you slide down to the floor. Then you hear footsteps and voices coming toward you.

Soon you feel someone lift you to your feet. Its Mother. She puts you by the fire and helps to warm you up.

How did you get stuck outside? she asks. I thought you were at school.

You begin to cry. The tears sting your face. You tell her how you ignored Mr. Coopers instructions.

Im so sorry, you cry.

Mother hugs you tight. Im just glad youre inside and safe.

You and Mother ride out the storm in the comfort of your warm home.

THE END

You turn to your right and start walking. You wander about aimlessly for what seems like hours. Still no house.

Help! You cry out, but no one can hear you above the wind.

Eventually you bump into the wall of your snow fort again. You slide down next to it, hoping it will shield you from the wind. Exhausted from wandering in the cold and snow, you soon pass out.

Two days later, your brother William finds your body. Instead of playing pranks at school, youre one of the first victims of the historic blizzard.

THE END

As you get ready for school, Mother comes to your room and gives you a crystal glass bottle. It has beautiful patterns in the glass, and it sparkles just like snow.

You can use this bottle for water to clean your at school, Mother says. Be sure to take care of it.